Written question asked by Baroness Wyld (Conservative) on Wednesday, 31 January 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 February 2024. It was answered by Lord Markham (Conservative) on Thursday, 8 February 2024 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Health Visitors and Midwives

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government how many home visits from (1) midwives, and (2) health visitors, women currently receive after childbirth.

Answer: The health visiting service offer is universal to all families, and is underpinned by the national Healthy Child Programme. This offer begins with the antenatal contact and continues until school entry at five years old. There are five mandated universal contacts for health visiting which include: antenatal review; new birth visit; six to eight week review; one year review; and two to two-and-a-half year review. More targeted support, comprising of additional contacts above the mandated number, are delivered depending on assessment of individual family needs. Mandated health visitor reviews should be held face to face, although there may be local variations and blended approaches used. The health visiting service is delivered in a range of settings including families’ own homes, local community, or primary care settings.

Secondary information